PIEDMONT — A Piedmont parent group called PRAISE (Piedmonters for Resources, Advocacy, and Information in Special Education) would like you to think differently about the word “special.” Generally, it implies something that is exceptional, separate, or different, but special education in Piedmont is all about inclusion.

Special education services support students with learning needs that go beyond what can be provided by general education classrooms. This includes things like reading help for students with dyslexia, aides and equipment for students with physical disabilities, and social learning for students on the autism spectrum. Approximately 15 percent of students in the district use some form of special education services.

Many people are not aware of how much special education benefits the entire student body. Many innovative teaching methods and programs — such as differentiated learning, multisensory approaches, and the new social skills curriculum — come from research originally developed to address learning differences. Many students in “gifted” programs, who extend the boundaries of what our schools can offer in math, science, and the arts, are concurrently enrolled in special education because of their unusual learning profiles.

Most important, special education supports neurodiversity, a term that celebrates the variety of ways that people can process information and communicate. Recently, PRAISE teamed up with PADC (the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee) to collaborate on their common goals. Neurological differences, like cultural differences, bring fresh perspectives, new friendships, and an opportunity for expanded awareness to kids as well as adults. And like cultural diversity, neurodiversity shows us more about what we have in common than how we are “special.”

This year, PRAISE will be rolling out a new logo. Designed by local artist Daniel Clowes, its bold letters communicate the strength of the special education community. It was created by hand, without the use of computers or fonts, to convey the individuality of the kids and families who participate in and support special education. Clowes also gave it the look of an old-fashioned sports logo.

“I wanted it to convey, on sort of an unconscious level, that we’re all on the same team,” he said.

Last year, drawing on donations and a network of knowledgeable parent volunteers, PRAISE funded teacher training and “Word for Word,” a summer literacy and drama program. They sponsored several free lectures on neurodiversity and inclusion, as well as a collaboration with the Diversity Film Series on autism awareness.

This year, PRAISE is hoping to offer a wider variety of community lectures and make grants available to teachers. PRAISE will also continue to put parents in touch with local resources and with one another.

“Families with children with special needs can sometimes lack a sense of connectedness and belonging within the school and the broader community,” said PRAISE President Liz Fitzgerald. “Our hope is that PRAISE helps bridge that gap.”

To find out more about PRAISE, visit the new website at www.piedmontpraise.org. PRAISE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Matching funds from employers are accepted.

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